RoughRiders let one slip away, lose 4-3 to Omaha in shootout

By Mike Condon, Correspondent

CEDAR RAPIDS -- The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders appeared to be peaking at the right time.

With about a month remaining before the United States Hockey League playoffs begin, the Riders were playing some of their most consistent hockey of the season.

That strong play continued Saturday night against Western Division leader Omaha through most of the game. Riley Bourbonnais netted a natural hat trick in the second period, but the the RoughRiders couldn't extend their win streak as Omaha rallied to tie the game with 30 seconds left in regulation and won 4-3 in a shootout before a near full house at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

Cedar Rapids (22-19-8, 52 points) remained eight points behind Dubuque for fourth place in the Eastern Division. Omaha, which has already clinched a playoff spot, moved to 32-16-3 (67 points).

Omaha carried the play to the Riders in the first 10 minutes. Goaltender Jake Hildebrand had a pair of tough saves to keep the Lancers off the board.

Bourbonnais got the Riders on the board at 2:23 of the second off an assist from Nick Saracino. Omaha tied it a minute later when Max Valis scored off a slick pass from Anthony Hamburg. Bourbonnais gave the Riders lead back when he went top shelf on Omaha goalie Alex Lyon after a steal. He netted his third of the period at 16:05, cutting to the net to take a great feed from Davey Middleton and slapping it past Lyon to give the Riders a 3-1 advantage.

Omaha closed it to 3-2 on a power play goal from Casey Bailey at 13:30 of the third period and tied it with 31 seconds to go in regulation on a goal by Greg Cozzo. Omaha scored on each of their three tries in the shootout and Lyon made a stop on Saracino in the Riders' third round of the shootout to give the win to the Lancers.

The Riders play again at home this weekend, hosting Dubuque on Friday and Green Bay on Saturday.

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The Riders play again at home this weekend, hosting Dubuque on Friday and Green Bay on Saturday.